Rating: 
Summary: HP has finally got it right.
Review: I have to say that I was skeptical when I first ordered my Jornada 568. I mean its predecessors wasn't very impressive compare to Casio and Compaq. But after owning mine for a week, I have to say that I am impressed. It's compact and light thus fits easily in the front pocket of my pants without dragging my pants down. Althought the screen is not as big and not as bright as the new ipaq 3800s, it's very reasonable in both areas and as a consequence, the bettery on the Jornada can easily last over 10hrs! Another nice thing about the 568 is that the build in expansion slot uses compactflash cards, one of the cheapest memory card format out there. I got a 256MB CF card for only a little over (dollar amount) and with that I can stored over 4hrs of mps or even a full length movie in the right format. The flip cover for the screen is a nice touch and much more pleasing to the eyes than the ones the new ipaq comes with. The PDA as a whole has very nice fit and finish. I had read that 568 having dusk problems but so far I haven't notice any, the only dusk I've seen is on the outside which can be easily remove with a duster. The stylus is about the only thing I can complain about the new PDA, but PDA Panache is coming out with a stylus that's design for 56x specifically. Over all I am one happy camper. =) And I will recommend the Jornada 568 to anyone looking for a multifunctional PDA.
Rating:
Summary: What a marvelous gadget.
Review: I bought my HP Jornada 568 on February 1, and waited more than two months in order to write a review not guided by the emotion of having such an wonderful invention the firsts days, but by the funcionality of the device. And I must tell that it is extremely useful.
The display is excellent, as with everything on this pocket PC. It works very fast even when almost every application is open; the design is so slim and light that is a pleasure to carry your Jornada everywhere; I think that is one of the most elegant designs in the market also.
The sound, with headphones, is excellent for music, even when it is obvious that listening through the tiny built-in speaker is not the best way to get the best sound quality.
The navigation through the internet is very good, but you must be aware that the effect in some pages is like if you were passing a magnifying glass over a book's page, because most of the internet pages do not exactly "fit to screen" (this also happens with large Excel files or complex Word documents), but even with that detail that is not inherent to the Jornada but to all Pocket PC's, is very useful and clear, because you can increase the size of the text in the page in order to a comfortable reading.
If you also plan to receive e-mail in your Pocket PC, the new operative system allows to receive HTML direct from the Internet, because it converts it to text format automatically, and that was a mayor flaw of the preceding OS.
The Word and Excel documents can be edited or created with easiness, given the multiple input choices the OS has to offer.
I highly recommend a Compact Flash Card of at least 128MB. This is not only for file storage, but to install the programs of your Jornada within the Storage Card and leting almost all the RAM for the applications preinstalled so you can get your device to run extra fast. The only flaw with this is that if you are using a CompactModem or CompactLAN in order to connect to the Internet, the programs that are installed in the CF card will not be available at the moment of navigation because the expansion slot will be already in use.
If you never had owned a Pocket PC, another recomendation is the Pocket PC Handbook, by Dan Hanttula. It is more than worth the price.
Overall, if you are planning to buy a Pocket PC and are not sure about which one to chose, do not hesitate anymore and pick the HP Jornada 568. You will be more than pleased and surely will write a review from your Pocket PC.
Accesories I own and recomend: Targus Stowaway Keyboard, Targus PDA/Keyboard Combo Case (Leather) (only if you use the keyboard very often), Viking CF card 128MB, Pretec's CompactModem and CompactLan (the Support Service from Pretec is superb) and the Pocket PC Handbook, by Hanttula.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice PDA
Review: This is a great PDA. It runs Windows 2002 Pocket PC Edition very well. I can play MP3's, use Pocket Word, and synchronize with Microsoft Outlook without a problem.The only reason I gave it 4 out of 5 stars is that the screen scratches amazingly easy. I always keep the thing in a soft case, and it's already scratched up pretty good. I have no idea how these little blemishes got there, but it is very annoying when the light is just right and they stand out.
Rating:
Summary: HOT!!!! Great Tool with no faults beside the Price:)
Review: Being the techno-nerd that I am I purchased a Jornada 568 as soon as they became available in the fall of 2001. I owned a HP Jornada 548 and had no true business justification for the upgrade but my credit card wouldn't stay in my wallet. This being said I am glad that I made the plunge. There are many positive sides to this unit and the new Pocket PC operating system over its predecessor. First, the screen is far clearer and brighter then previous HP displays. The screen is crisp and easy to read in sunlight. The screen is very comparable to the Ipaq screen. The removable battery pack is a big time bonus. I can purchase a spare or buy an extended pack which has a built in smart media slot. WOW! The top load compact flash slot is once again another advantage over the Ipaq. With the type I compact flash support built in there is no need for ungainly sleeves. Even better, and the reason I went with the HP, is that the Jornada 540 series accessories for the most part work with the 560 series. The keyboard, camera, modem and many other devices work great on the 560 and in many cases the drivers are built into the new unit. As far as the new operating system goes it is fun and some features are a plus but it is not a major upgrade. The build in transcriber is nice and spell check and word count is nice in MS Word but not revolutionary. On the negative side I would list two things. First HP did not make screen protectors available for this unit which means we have to purchase from a third party vendor. As much as people complained about the 540 series hard plastic protectors I liked them and wish they were available for the 560 series. The screen is smaller so the sheets don't work without trimming. Secondly, the price may not be unreasonable for what you get but it is pushing the envelope. The unit provides most laptop functions with the purchase of keyboard and networking accessories. On the other hand after you purchase everything you could have purchased a very nice laptop for the same price. The price of the unit is enough to make worry a bit about carrying it around. Overall a great unit that I am pleased with and do not regret purchasing...
Rating:
Summary: Jornada 568 - Lightweight, speedy and POWERFUL
Review: Although the new iPaqs are sure to generate a lot of hype, HP is hoping they can gather a much larger share of the Pocket PC market with the new Jornada 560 family. Size:
The Jornada 560 is about the same size as the 540 and 520, slightly less wide but the same height. The BIG change is in the weight - my old Jornada 548 weighed 9.1 ounces, and the 565/567 weighs 3 ounces less at 6.1 ounces. It doesn't sound like much, but this device doesn't try to pull my Dockers down like the old one did! The difference in size is obviously due to the new 3.5" display, which seems to make the screen a bit sharper than its larger competitor, the iPaq. I love the screen cover on the Jornada 560 series - you don't need to have a separate carrying case for the device! With my iPaq, I needed a carrying case to protect the screen. With the Jornada, I can close the cover and jam it into my pocket without worrying about scratching the display. HP devices always feel like they're well built, and the Jornada 560 is no exception. The Jornada feels very good in the hand. I like the rubberized sides of the device, as I feel like I always have a good grip on it. When I was taking my iPaq with me to work every day on the light rail, I was always feeling like I was going to have it slip out of my hand onto the floor. It was also wider and wasn't as easy to hold. With the CF sleeve on it (hey, I always have to have my eBooks and music!) the iPaq was also much thicker and heavier. Functionality:
The 560 series uses a new display that's smaller than that used in the previous generation of Pocket PCs, measuring up at 3.5 inches diagonally instead of 3.8 inches. This reflective TFT display is also much clearer and well defined due to a .216 dot pitch - the older displays had a .24 dot pitch. With Microsoft ClearType and the Jornada display, everything's easy to read. Outside, this display is even sharper than the iPaq's. I've gone for many days using the device with backlight a lot, and still have had battery power to spare. The 560 has a replaceable lithium polymer battery pack, so you can have several charged packs on hand. There's a backup battery stored in a tiny slot on the side of the device, so if your battery DOES happen to croak, you won't lose all your data.
HP will soon be shipping an extended life battery pack that will be a bit thicker, but doubles the estimated battery life to 28 hours! In January of 2002, HP should ship a battery pack with a built-in MMC memory slot. This means that you could pop an MMC card into the battery pack to store data and still have a wide-open CF slot. There's one nice feature in the 560 called "HP Safe Store". It's an 8 MB ROM area that allows users to install applications, store documents and make emergency backups of their data. If the battery dies and the Jornada RAM is erased, this data remains intact! I've installed critical apps into this area, saving my system memory and CF card space for more important data. Expandability:
IPaq users love to point out that HP Jornada Pocket PCs don't support Compact Flash Type II cards - only Type I. This limits the Jornada, since you can't use the IBM Microdrive for mass storage, or use some of the 802.11b wireless cards that have hit the market. However, Socket Communications' 802.11b card DOES work in the Type I slot of the Jornada 560 series.
If you're considering an iPaq so you can have extra expandability, don't - HP will provide more expansion options soon! In December 2001, you can buy a PC Card Adapter, an extended battery pack with SD/MMC slot and a mini-thumb pocket keyboard. These expansion options will clip into the battery compartment or will use a sleeve (like the iPaq).
Value:
HP provides a lot for the price. The Jornada 568 is very compact, there is a wonderfully clear color display, you have the HP Safe Store ROM, and removable lithium polymer battery packs so I feel that the Jornada 560 series is well worth the cost. I've had people gasp at the price of most Pocket PCs, but when I show them that this device is really a contender to replace a laptop PC they seem to think that it is a bargain. Conclusion:
My overall feelings about the HP Jornada 560 Series Pocket PC can be summed up as follows:
·It's extremely easy to carry in all situations and very well built
·It has very few flaws, other than the speaker pop that will most likely be fixed with a ROM patch ·The added applications are very useful and even a bit fun!
·The 206 MHz StrongARM CPU, the new Pocket PC 2002 OS, and the sharp reflective TFT display make for a fast and very usable Pocket PC Ever since my first HP calculator back in the late 1970s, I've had a love affair with HP devices. They are always a little bit pricey, but are very well built. The Jornada 560 series is no exception to this long history, and I think that it'll be able to make some serious inroads to the current domination of the Pocket PC market by the Compaq iPaq. I do wish that HP would lower the price about $100 - that would seal the fate of the iPaq. If you don't have any Type II Compact Flash cards and want a fast, expandable, and very pocketable PDA, the Jornada 560 is the way to go.
Rating:
Summary: Best of the Pocket PC 2002 bunch (IMHO)...
Review: First, it has a built-in Type Ie Compact Flash (CF) card slot. Type Ie means Type I extended. It refers to the removable door behind the slot, allowing bulkier peripherals to plug into the slot. Cards that come in Type II that WILL NOT work include the IBM Microdrive. Also, there is no built-in Secure Digital (SD) card slot like some of the other Pocket PC 2002 PDAs. HP will be releasing an expansion sled that has an SD/MMC slot (more on expansion later). Personally, I'd rather have the CF slot over the SD slot since I use the slot primarily for memory expansion and CF cards come in larger capacities (currently up to 512MB) for less dollars. Other features: The flip cover (it's removable) helps protect the screen when not in use. It doesn't naturally flip open to 180 degrees or flush with the back. You could force it but I wouldn't risk damage. The sides have a rubberized grip for a secure hold. There is an up/down rocker button on the thumb side (if you hold the PDA in your left hand) that is nice for one-handed scrolling. Below the rocker button is the record button which is nice for recording voice notes or for using the bundled Mobile Conversay speech recognition software. This software allows you to use a basic voice calendar as well as query the date/time, battery level, and open applications. The recognition quality is actually pretty good. The four "hot" keys (HP home menu, calendar, contacts, and tasks) can be mapped to four additional functions using a press-and-hold. For example, two of the keys can be mapped such that pressing and holding would bring up 4 volume profiles and 4 brightness profiles. The 56x is slim and light. It is about the same size as a naked iPaq (without expansion sleeve). It feels very comfortable in hand. It's light and slim enough to be truly carried in one's cargo pants pocket without the feeling it's pulling your pants down. The biggest advantage is the battery (rated 14 hours). Compared with the older iPaq's (36xx series), the 56x battery runs almost twice as long. The best part is that the battery is removable. So, you could carry two standard batteries for extended use. HP will also release an extended battery sled that is rated at 28 hours, according to their website. The battery slot also serves as an expansion slot. Other planned expansion choices, all due within the next 3 months, include a standard battery with a built-in SD/MMC slot and a PC card sled with battery and SD/MMC slot. There is also a backup battery that comes with the 56x for retaining your data in the event the standard battery is removed. So, you won't have to worry about losing your data if the main battery gets totally drained. Gripes: The stylus is a cheap, flimsy plastic stylus. I would prefer they use a heavier weight stylus. The screen is smaller than the iPaq's. However, the screen is the same resolution (320x240 pixels), so images will appear tighter in the smaller screen. There has also been a big stink over dust creeping underneath the screen. So, if you view something with a dark background, you could see dust particles that make the 56x look like it has a dandruff problem. HP is aware of this problem (since so many people have complained about it) and assures that those devices made in November on will have better sealed screens. If you want to know when your 56x was manufactured, check the serial number written inside the main battery slot. The number begins with SGXYY... X is the year (1 = 2001). YY is the week of the year. So, SG144 and later devices should have the dust problem remedied. Mine has not had a dust problem, so I consider myself lucky. Like it's Pocket PC 2002 cohorts, it sports a 206MHz StrongARM processor, 64K colors, and the full Pocket PC 2002 OS. Since PPC2002 only uses about 24MB of the 32MB ROM, there is 8MB available for storage (called HP Safe Store) on top of the 32MB/64MB RAM. This is a nice place to install essential applications you want to keep even if you have to hard reset the device or for backing up your contacts and calendar info. Overall, this is a wonderful PDA that is very well designed. Definitely a serious competitor with the iPaq.
Rating:
Summary: HP Scores with Jornada 568
Review: The original HP Jornada Pocket PC's were easily outclassed by Compaq and Casio's models, but HP's engineers have redeemed themselves- and surpassed the competition- with the new Pocket PC 2002 versions: the Jornada 565 and 568. (The only difference between the two is RAM, with the 568 having 64Mb to the 565's 32Mb.) These new models have the superior display and speed of the competitors products, but easily top the Compaq with built-in CF card expansion and replaceable, rechargable batteries that have longer life spans than the iPAQ. The included flip-up cover is also a plus and makes the Jornada the lightest weight and slimmest Pocket PC available with both screen protection and CF expansion built-in. HP also thoughtfully provided a way for users to store up to 8Mb of data or programs in the secure FlashROM, assuring the security of vital material. Besides the Microsoft Pocket PC software suite, HP's bundled software includes Code Wallet Pro and the versitile OmniSolve calculator as well as HP's own image viewer. This viewer is the best I've tried on any Pocket PC. My favorite bundled program though has to be Mobile Conversay. This easy-to-use program allows you to talk to your Jornada and receive spoken responses. Mobile Conversay will read your calendar to you, tell you the date and time, check your battery life, start and stop programs and more. The Jornada 565/568 are easily the top of the new crop of Pocket PC's.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: This is a wonderful machine. It is compact and efficient. It is compatible with several database software products allowing for easy, on the road access to all types of information. It holds 1000 pages of text per MB of memory which makes travelling a breeze. No longer do I need an extra briefcase for my books. Currently, with just a 128 MB compact flash card as an accessory, I have 7 books, 13 audible.com audible books, multiple pictures as well as all my MS Outlook contact addresses, phone numbers, email addresses. Further, I can download and respond to my email from this little pocket-size phenom. It has never, never failed me.
Rating:
Summary: Transformed my life
Review: I used to carry a laptop and a Franklin planner almost everywhere. Now, my Jornada and the Targus keyboard are all I usually need, unless I'm doing a presentation to a client. The Pocket PC is a marvel of convenience. Here are common things I do on my HP Jornada:
* All MS Outlook related activities (appointments, tasks, meeting notes, and contacts)
* MS Pocket Money: I get a receipt, and I enter it before I leave the location. No more piles of receipts to process at the end of the month so that I can reconcile my accounts.
* Pocket Word: keep my personal journal, jot down notes, write business documents, etc. The formatting isn't anywhere near as powerful as the desktop version of Word, but it won't take too many more features for this to be a highly functional word processor.
* Pocket Excel: Track mileage. Pocket Excel is a very basic spreadsheet, but it does a great job for simple spreadsheets. I expect future versions will be better.
* Download web pages for viewing: Using AvantGo, I routinely download the Economist, New York Times, CNN, and many other sites. And if I travel, I can download restaurant and entertainment info for the city I go to.
* Track billable hours: Using a great FREEWARE program for Pocket PC, I can track billable hours for clients, projects, and even activities associated with projects.
* Brainstorm: I use a mind-mapping Pocket PC program to brainstorm and develop mindmaps and preliminary project plans for myself and with clients. * Listen to music: A 64MB flash card can hold a decent amount of MP3 files!
* Show off my new daughter: I have a digital camera, so I can transfer images of my daughter to my Jornada to show pictures to my friends and associates. Additionally, with a Pocket PC, you can do many other things that I don't yet use the Jornada for, including edit and view PowerPoint files, edit databases, edit html files, edit images, send and receive emails, view live Internet, and watch mpeg movies. Great! The screen on the 568 is much improved from earlier Jornadas, too. Not as much glare in sunlight. NOTE: HP IS DISCONTINUING THE JORNADA LINE IN FAVOR OF THE IPAQ LINE IT INHERITED FROM COMPAQ. LOOK FOR BARGAINS ON JORNADAS!
Rating:
Summary: HP Jornada 568 still tops!
Review: With the Toshiba 330, the new Hp Ipaq and the new Dell Axim all out now, I'd still opt for this HP Jornada 568 for performance, sturdiness,feel and looks. I got it for a good deal. Why did they discontinue it? If they were to reissue it now at a competitive price, I still think it'd be tops. It's tried and proven.
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